Posts Tagged ‘Back Bay’

Download and share a copy of the library’s updated Central Library renovation fact sheet (updated 01.2015). On the fact sheet, find information on the project goals, master plan process, construction phases, timeline, and budget. The fact sheet was recently revised to show that the second floor of the Johnson building will open in February.

As noted on the library’s homepage and calendar: services, programs, and collections for children and teens will be temporarily unavailable at the Central Library in Copley Square from Monday, February 9, through Saturday, February 14, while the teams staffing the Children’s Library and Teen Central move to their new locations on the second floor of the Johnson building. Additionally, the Central Library in Copley Square will be closed on Sunday, February 15, and Monday, February 16, in observance of Presidents Day.

Reader Services librarians will embrace their roots when Phase II is completed in the summer of 2016. The newest and most popular books will be placed toward the front of the Johnson building. Occupying the space formerly used for Borrower Services and the Boston Room, the new book area will be an area for browsing, admiring topical book displays, and chatting with librarians about what to read next. This traditional reader’s advisory service has always been challenging in the large Central Library, especially when it comes to forming one-on-one relationships that some readers look for. By utilizing the capabilities of the library catalog that enables both staff and the public to write reviews, make lists, and rate books, as well as the knowledge and voracious reading habits of the staff, engaging readers the way independent booksellers do to hand-sell books will be a popular and fun service.

Architects’ rendering looking from within the new books area on the first floor of the Johnson building out toward Boylston Street (to the right).

The date has been set for the opening of the renovated second floor of the Johnson building at Boston Public Library’s Central Library in Copley Square. On Saturday, February 21, the residents of Boston and beyond will get their first look at the new second floor, which includes a new children’s library, teen area, nonfiction collection, reference services, and a community reading area.

The Central Library in Copley Square, located at 700 Boylston Street, opens at 9 a.m. on Saturday, February 21. Both the Boylston Street entrance and the Dartmouth Street entrance will be open. The celebratory ribbon cutting will take place at 12 p.m. Mayor Martin J. Walsh is scheduled to attend.

With DVDs and music CDs still among the most borrowed collections in the library, a special space has been designed for them on the first floor of the Johnson building, next to the Borrower Services desk. Despite more and more content available as streaming or downloadable media, many patrons still check out the physical discs. A slightly raised platform between the check-out desk and Tech Central will hold the movies and music collections. In addition, viewing and listening stations will be set up for patrons who would like to preview media before they borrow it or see what is available digitally. This is Phase 2 work and will be complete in 2016.